Balanced line switch system with u-shaped crossed conductive channels arranged back to back

ABSTRACT

A switch system using a plurality of multi-contact reciprocating switch plungers to selectively connect any one of a plurality of multi-conductor lines running in one direction to any one of a plurality of multi-conductor lines running in a transverse direction with each plunger switch unit and its cooperating contacts being made in a module whereby a switch system of any number of switches can be readily assembled, particularly for the purpose of connecting any one of a plurality of transmitters to any one of a plurality of directional antennas for directing radio waves in a particular direction as required. Provision is made for shielding the conductor lines, whether a multiconductor line or a single conductor line, by means of shielding channels arranged with their backs in supporting engagement and fixed together providing the framework for the switch system. Suitable insulators are provided for supporting the multiconductor or single conductor lines in proper relation and the plunger switch unit serves to make the necessary connections without leaving an objectionable line stub on the energized portion of the lines.

United States Patent [19 Kershner et al.

1451 Feb. 20, 1973 [54] BALANCED LINE SWITCH SYSTEM WITH U-SHAPEDCROSSED CONDUCTIVE CHANNELS ARRANGED BACK TO BACK [75] Inventors:Stephen W. Kershner, Falls Church; Kenneth Owen, Springfield, both ofVa.

[73] Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc., Alexandria,

[22] Filed: Aug. 6, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 61,585

Related US. Application Data [60] Division of Ser. No. 867,044, Sept.25, 1969, Pat. No. 3,588,390, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser.No. 628,501, April 4, 1967, Pat. No. 3,500,004.

52 US. Cl ..200/153 s, 174/72 R, 200/175 51 1m.c1 ..110111 15/24, 110251/08, 110111 63/00 [58] Field oISearch.,.200/l53 s, 175, 176, 177, 178;335/108, 109, 111, 115,317/122, 112;

174/72 R, 72 B, 72 c, 48

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 975,801 11/1964 Great Britain ..200/153S Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-Robert A.Vanderhye Attorney-Milford A. Juten [57] ABSTRACT A switch system usinga plurality of multi-contact reciprocating switch plungers toselectively connect any one of a plurality of multi-conductor linesrunning in one direction to any one of a plurality of multi-conductorlines running in a transverse direction with each plunger switch unitand its cooperating contacts being made in a module whereby a switchsystem of any number of switches can be readily assembled, particularlyfor the purpose of connecting any one of a plurality of transmitters toany one of a plurality of directional antennas for directing radio wavesin a particular direction as required.

Provision is made for shielding the conductor lines, whether amulticonductor line or a single conductor line, by means of shieldingchannels arranged with their backs in supporting engagement and fixedtogether providing the framework for the switch system. Suitableinsulators are provided for supporting the multiconductor or singleconductor lines in proper relation and the plunger switch unit serves tomake the necessary connections without leaving an objectionable linestub on the energized portion of the lines.

9 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEB FEBZO I973 SHEET 10F 6 FIG. I

INVENTORS W KERWR TH OWE/V ATTORNEY PATENTEBFEBZOIQH SHEET 2 OF 6 FIG. 2

IN VENTORS STEPHEN W. KERS-l/VER KENNETH OWE N G. W, ATTO :vzv

PATENIE FEBZO 197a SHEET 30F 6 ATTORNEY PATENTEDEmma' $717,736

' sum nor a VEN Tons STEPHEN w. KERmN KENNETH OWEN I9 BY QM ATTORNEYPATENTEU FEB 2 O 1575 SHEET 5 OF 6 b h 4 u v 0, I A z, I 4 I4 2 4 I FIG.9

FIG. IO

INVEN TORS STEPHEN W. KE'RSHNER KEN/VE TH OWE/V ATTORNEYPATENTEYUFEBZOIHH SHEU 6 BF 6 INVENTOR Stephen W. K ershner8\ Ken nethOwen A'TTOR MFV FIG I3 BALANCED LINE SWITCH SYSTEM WITH IJ- SIIAIPEDCROSSEQ GONIIIJCTIVIE CHANNELS ARRANGED BACK TO BACK This application isa division of application Ser. No. 867,044, filed Sept. 25, 1969, nowUS. Pat. No. 3,588,390, which was a continuation-in-part of applicationSer. No. 628,501, filed Apr. 4, 1967, by Stephen W. Kershner and KennethOwen now U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,004.

The present invention relates to electrical switching of relativelylarge power supplies and loads and more particularly to selectivelyswitching from any one source of power to any one of a plurality ofloads for radio broadcasting including balanced line and singleconductor switching.

Heretofore various switch systems have been pro-v vided including thatshown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,812 of Wright and Owen which relates toswitching of coaxial lines, and which provides switch means for only thecenter conductor with suitable shielding means serving as the otherconductor.

An object of the present invention is to provide a switch system forselectively connecting any one of a plurality of multi-conductor powerlines to any one of a plurality of transversely arranged multi-conductorload lines spaced therefrom.

Another object is to provide a switch system including a framework ofchannel members for use with single conductor or multi-conductor lines.

Other and further objects will be apparent as the description proceedsand upon reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a switch system built up of a pluralityof modules shown and described in a vertical position for convenience ofillustration and adapted for horizontal mounting above the heads of thetechnicians.

FIG. 2 is an isometric schematic view with much of the supportingframework omitted showing the several switches in various positions ofswitching and fragmentarily showing the channel framework for supportingand shielding the switch system.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of one plunger switch unit and itsoperating mechanism in the line continuing position.

FIG. 4i is a plan view of the switch of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevation of the switch shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a rear view taken substantially on line ti-ti of the sameswitch with parts broken away and the forward parts omitted showing theadaptability of the contacts to variations in alignment.

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary detail ofthe means securing a contact carryinginsulator to the reciprocating shaft with a corona ring to minimizecorona discharge.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the handle and crank mechanism and theforward bearing support for operating one of the switches and showingthe cam operated micro-switches for turning the power off and on priorto disconnection and after reconnection and showing the detents forretaining the plunger switch unit in both positions.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the same.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing theoperating mechanism in position to connect one of the multi-conductorhorizontal power lines to one of the multi-conductor vertical load linesand in dotted lines showing the multi-line continuing position.

FIG. I0 is a fragmentary section taken on line 10- I0 of FIG. 8 showingthe cam operation of the microswitches with the background elementsomitted.

FIG. II is a plan view of another form of switch system using outwardlyflanged channels having intermediate inwardly extending ribs providingthe supporting structure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective of the switch system supported overhead bysuitable posts, beams and stringers.

FIG. 13 is a switch supporting structure in which the passages areformed by spaced-flanged beams.

FIG. I4 is an enlarged detail showing how the contacts are supported onthe switch supporting structure of FIG. I3.

Referring more particularly to FIG. I, a plurality of multi-conductorlines A11, A2, A3, A4 and A5 shown as extending horizontally are adaptedto be connected to corresponding antennas and multi-conductor lines T1,T2, T3, and T4 are shown as extending vertically and adapted to beconnected to corresponding transmitters. Although the Figure illustratesthe switch assembly III upright position, it is preferably mounted in ahorizontal position, such as being suspended from a ceiling or supportedon posts by suitable beams as shown in FIG. 112 and with the operatinghandles beneath so the technicians can have easy access and observationof the condition of each plunger switch unit while providing a switchingsystem of unlimited size and combinations.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 11 through 6, inclusive, the switchingsystem is made up of a number of modules secured together to form thedesired number of switching connections between tubular antenna lines Aand tubular transmission lines T with each line being shielded by achannel shape structure having one set of channels forming passagesshielding the antenna line and another set of channels forming passagesshielding the transversely arranged transmission lines, each channelincluding a back or base B, a pair of webs W,W and inturned flanges F,Fat the free edges of the webs. The channels of one group are secured bysuitable means to the transversely arranged channels of the other groupsuch as by bolts or other suitable fasteners 15. It will be evident thatsuitable insulators are provided for supporting the antenna andtransmission lines from the channels.

One of the four switch modules has a base plate B with front webs W,W,Wperpendicular to the base defining two channels for housing parts of theantenna lines A3 and A t while rear webs W,W,W perpendicular to the baseplate B and perpendicular to the front webs in cooperation with base Bhouse transmission lines T3 and T41.

The switch plunger unit shown in detail in FIGS. 3 to ti, inclusive, isthe switch plunger unit located at the intersection of antenna line Adand transmission line T3. The plunger switch unit is mounted forreciprocation through opening 0 through the base B with the edges ofeach opening 0 being reinforced by channel shaped strap members MAJMArunning along the antenna lines A and strap members ItiT,I6T on theother s de of the base plate and running along the transmission lines T.Supported from the base B are antenna lines supporting insulators 17secured by bolts passing through the base plate B through the strap 16Tand through the fitting 17X. Insulators 17 support the antenna linesections A4,A4 in spaced relation to the base B and the webs W.Supported from the outer end of each insulator 17A is a conductive block17Y having a pair of spring leaves 18,18 on opposite sides of the blockand projecting outwardly from the cooperating line sections. Similarparts in the antenna and transmission line sections A and T areidentified with the postscript A or T for specific. identification and afurther numerical postscript to indicate the line. The spring leaveshave generally hemispherically shaped contacts 18B,l8B facing each otherat their free ends. A bracing strut 18C of tubular rivet constructionpassing through apertures intermediate the ends of the spring leaves issecured by spinning into intimate binding relation maintaining thespring leaves 18,18 in parallel relation. An insulator l7 and conductiveblock 17Y and the spring leaf contacts 18,18 are provided on the ends ofeach line section of the antenna and transmission line sections forcooperation with a blade type contact 19 fixedly mounted on taperinginsulators 20 fixedly secured by suitable bolts to one flat surface of asquare cross-section tube 21 which passes through the associated openingin the base and mounted for reciprocating while prevented againstrotation.

A channel shape bar 22A is non-movably mounted between the outer ends ofadjacent webs W,W by means of a plate 22X welded to a flange F with thechannel bar 22 being provided with an opening which slidingly receivesthe square tubular slide shaft 21. A pair of L-shaped members 22B,22Bhaving one leg of less inside length than the lateral dimension of theslide and the other leg of appreciably greater inside length than thetransverse dimension of the slide is adjustably secured in position bymachine screws 22C passing through enlarged openings in the bar 22 toprovide adjustment of the angle members to accurately and snugly supportthe slide shaft for longitudinal movement while preventing'turningthereof. The short leg of each angle member has a pair of screw threadedapertures cooperating with screws 22C to retain the guides 22B inposition. The angle guide members 223 are made of aluminum with chromiumplating thereon to reduce friction and wear. A similar channel shapedbar 22T is removably mounted on the adjacent webs W,W of the channelconfining the cooperating transmission line T by means of a plate 22Xwelded to the flange FT and cooperating screws 22Y passing throughapertures in bar 22T and threaded into threaded openings in plate 22Xwhereby the slide can be inserted from the transmission line side of theassembly and the bar 22T mounted in place to accurately guide the slide21 at the front and back of the plunger switch unit. Suitable angleguide blocks 22B are also mounted on the bar 22T to provide properguidance of the switch plunger unit.

The switch plunger unit shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, inclusive, illustratesthe line continuing position between lipcei A4 and line T3 which isdiagrammatically shown in F 2.

The line continuing knife blade contacts 19 are mounted to projectoutwardly from opposed insulators 20,20 tapering toward their ends andsecured to the square tubular shaft 21 with a cushioning lead pad 23having a pair of screw receiving apertures between the insulator 20 andthe shaft 21 and two machine screws 23A,23A passing through theinsulator, the lead pad and the cooperating corona ring 23B each havinga countersunk opening receiving the head of the flat headed machinescrew 23A the shank of the screws being screwed into threaded aperturesin the wall of tubular square shaft 21 thereby securely maintaining theinsulator 20 in fixed position.

The pair of opposing insulators 20,20 for lines A4 carries contacts 19extending outwardly into the position for engaging semispherical convexcontacts 188,188 thereby making an effective electrical connection. Theknife shaped contact 19 has a threaded stud extending through acorresponding aperture in the insulator 20 and secured by a nut 19A withsuitable lead washers and corona rings similar to that previouslydescribed and dead soft copper ribbon conductor 19B is clampingly heldbetween the shoulder of the contact 19 and the lead washer therebeneathso the contacts 19 and ribbon conductor 19B provide the line continuingswitch elements for the balanced conductors A4,A4. It will be evidentthat similar contacts 18A,18A and movable knife contacts 19 with ribbonconductors 19B provide for line continuing relation of cooperatingconductors T3,T3. Similar parts are identified by the same referencenumerals with a postscript of the corresponding line such as A4 or T3 toavoid unnecessarily increasing the number of reference characters.

To cross connect antenna line A4 to transmission line T3, for example,the switch shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, inclusive, is pushed rearwardly so thecontacts carried by insulator 20CA engage the line A4 while theinsulator 20CT has its contacts 19 engaging with transmission line T3with a conductor 24 connecting one contact of insulator 20CA to onecontact of insulator 20CT and another conductor 24X connecting the othercontact of insulator 20CA to the other contact of insulator 20CT therebyproviding the cross over from the transmission line T3 to the antennaline A4.

It is important that no stub ends of the antenna or the transmissionlines be connected to the source of power when the switch is in itscross switching position and this desired condition is obtained with thepresent invention.

The switch plunger unit located at the intersection of T3 and A3 has itsinsulator 20CA on the opposite side of the plunger tube 21 from thatshown with respect to the switch at T2,A4 and T3,A4 of FIGS. 3 to 6,inclusive. This arrangement provides for having the antenna loads extendfrom opposite edges of the switch assembly. The plunger switch unit maybe modified so the transmission lines extend from opposite edges of theswitch assembly and in an alternating manner, if desired.

The present invention provides for complete shielding to avoid crosstalkbetween adjacent lines and to further improve the avoidance ofcrosstalk, baffle plates 25,25 are provided on each side of eachtransmission line at the emerging edge of the switch system.Transmission line T1, for example, is offset bringing the leads thereofnear the front of the switch system while the leads T2 are offsetbringing the leads near the rear of the switch assembly so the leadsfrom T1 and T2 are I ball-bearing roller 26C rotatably mounted on a stubshaft fixed to the other or free end of aluminum crank 268. The bearingsurfaces throughout the system are plated with chromium assuring longlife and minimizing friction. A cross head having a squareshank 26]) issecured by a bolt 26E passing through aligned apertures in 'shank 26Dand square shaft 21 to shaft 21. The cross head includes a four-sidedopen top box follower 26F which receives the cam roller 26C whereby whenthe crank 26B is rotated from the full line continuing position of FIG.7 to the full line cross connection position of FIGS. 8 and 9 theswitching is changed from the line continuing position shown in FIGS. 3to 6, inclusive, as illustrated at T3,A4 to the cross over positionshown in FIGS. 8 to 10, inclusive and illustrated at T2,A4 in FIG. 2.

The box crosshead follower 26F is provided with a bottom, sidewalls26G,26G and one end wall 26H with each sidewall having a cutoutreceiving an angular end 261 of a detent spring secured by rivets to thecooperating sidewall 26G with a reinforcing detent spring 26] providingadditional force in the angular end 261 of the first detent spring. Whenthe roller 26C is in the position shown in either switching position,the angular end 26], of each detent resiliently engages the roller 26Curging the roller 26C against the end wall 26H thereby retaining thecrank arm 26B in position.

The crank shaft 26A has a square end 26K with the corners extending inthe direction of the crank arm 26B and transverse thereto and suchsquare end 26K receives a switch handle 26L having a square aperturewhich is substantially parallel to the front of the switch assembly inboth positions of use minimizing space requirements, a pin 26M passingthrough an aperture in the square end 26K retaining the handle on thecrankshaft.

A front collar 28surrounding the square shaft 21 and fixed thereto by ascrew serves as a stop limiting the forward motion of the plunger byabutment with the front guides 23B as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 and indotted lines in FIGS. 8 and 9 thereby positively limiting movement ofthe plunger in its line continuing direction. The sealed ball bearingroller 26C moves the plunger by engagement with the front sidewall 26Gand front detent 261 to its final line continuing position. The detent261 also semi-positivelyretaining the shaft 26A and the plunger inoperative position.

To move the plunger to cross connection position, the shaft 26A isrotated by its handle 26L causing front a detent 261 to move outwardlybefore any change in the plunger position occurs and without the roller26C contacting the rear detent 26l thereby avoiding friction. Theroller26C is of appreciably less diameter than the spacing between side walls26G,26G thereby providing for lost motion of the crank shaft 26A beforeany movement of the plunger can occur. The microswitches 27 are operatedby the cooperating cam pins 27Z on adjustable collars 278 to turn offthe power before any motion of the. plunger occurs. After the power isturned off further rotation of the crank shaft 26A moves the plungerbreaking the line continuing contacts and then making the crossconnection contacts when the crank shaft is turned approximately a halfrevolution to the position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Before the finalturning of the shaft-26A occurs, a

. second stop collar 28B fixed to the shaft 21 adjacent the rear engagesthe rear set of plunger guides 23B fixed to the rear guide channel 22Tto assure that cross contacts make proper connection. The plunger islimited in its rearward movement by the rearstop 28B and the crosscontacts are in positive engagement before the crank arm reaches itsfinal position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. During the last few degrees ofmovement of roller 26C past the rear detent 26] the micro switches 27operate to turn on the power only after the cross contacts are inpositive engagement thereby avoiding arcing.

The initial and final lost motion of the switch operating lever 26L andthe crank results in turning off the power before the plunger contactsare moved and provides for turning on the power only after the contactsare in positive engagement and substantially in their final position.The crank arrangement provides for great mechanical advantage at theinitial and final movement of the plunger and rapid movement between theinitial and final movements.

The switch system is made in repeating modules and as illustrated inFIG. 2 each module includes the projected area of the crossing channels,each. channel having a back B, webs W,W, and flanges F,F with thecooperating channels being secured together by bolts 30 passing throughaligned apertures adjacent the web of each channel. When the channelsare of relatively light weight material the reinforcing channel shapedstraps 16A,]l6A in the antenna channel and channel shaped straps I6T,16Tin the transmission channels are bolted together where the channelsintersect by bolts 31 adjacent each corner of the opening 0. Additionalbolt receiving apertures 32 registering with one another are adapted toreceive the bolts supporting the insulators 17A in their properpositions by means of the securing bolts 32A which pass through theattaching flanges 17F and through suitable spacers to maintain theconductive block 17! and leaf spring contacts 183 in proper position.The insulator 17 is received in a tubular cup in the flange 17F andsecured by cement or the like thereto while a cup 176 surrounds theupper portion of the insulator 17 being secured thereto by cement andhaving a threaded aperture through the bottom which receives theattaching screw 17H for the block ll7Y.

The block ll7Y is of rectangular section with a bore running the lengththereof and a counter bore receiving the adjacent tubular conductor A4,for example, which is secured thereto by silver solder, the conductorsbeing copper tubes with silver plating on the exterior and the otherconductive parts being similarly silver plated to improve the surfaceconductivity thereof. Attaching screws 171 secure the spring leaves 18to the block l7Y while the tubular rivet 18C maintains the parallelrelation between the spring leaves 18,18.

In assembling the switch structure, a plunger switch unit including thetubular square shaft 21 is inserted from the rear with the crossheadremoved and thereafter the rear channel bar 22T is bolted in placeproviding the support for the plunger unit. Thereafter, the angularguide members 22B are adjusted to properly align the knife contacts 19with the cooperating hemispherical shaped convex contacts 188 and theguides are bolted in place on their respective bars 22A at the front and22T at the rear. The cover plates 33 are then applied thereby completelyenclosing the antenna lines and the transmission lines. Thecrossheadwith its box type follower is then bolted to the shaft 21 bythe bolt 2613 with the roller cam 26C in the box thereby providing forthe reciprocation of the plunger switch unit. Baffles 25 shield adjacenttransmission line leads and the leads being bent to provide a 45 offsetwhere the leads emerge from the baffles 25.

Another form of channel has the cover plate mounting flanges extendingoutwardly with inwardly extending rib flanges 34 positioned on each webto support a cross piece 34B having an insulator receiving cup carryingan insulator 34C which in turn carries a conductor 120 secured to theinsulator by a screw 34X. The cross piece 34B is secured to flanges 34by bolts 34E passing through aligned apertures therethrough. Thechannels are arranged in crossing relation to provide the necessarynumber of shielded antenna and transmission lines whether a singleconductor is used in a manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,812 ormulticonductor lines are used and mounted in a manner above described.Suitable switching is provided and suitable cover plates and operatingmechanism as well as microswitches to indicate the position of theplunger switch units and turn off the current to the load prior tomaking and breaking contact. The channels are connected togetherbyfbolts 30 or other suitable means as previously described.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 11, a single line conductor and aplunger switch shown in FIG. 2 in U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,812 is includedwith corresponding reference numerals of similar parts in the 100series. The operating shaft 130 of the plunger passes through openingsin the back of the channels with the antenna line continuing contact129F and the transmitter line continuing contact 129R being shown inline continuing positions. A cross connecting tubular element 131carrying the cross connecting transmission line contact 133 and alsocarrying a cross-connection antenna line contact 132L connects thecrossing antenna line 120A to transmitter line 120T when the plunger 130is moved to its rear position.

Front cover plates 116F mounted on the antenna line channel and rearcover plates 116R on the transmission line channel complete theenclosure, thereby completely shielding the conductors 120A and 120T.The cover plates also serve as bearings for the plunger shaft 130.

The structure of FIG. 11 can be made in modules connected by conductiveconnecting plates having elongated bolt receiving apertures 45Xreceiving bolts 45Y threaded into threaded apertures 45Z to provide formaking switching systems of any desired size. The modules may be madefor a single switch and the system built up therefrom.

Connecting plates 46 are provided between the modules of FIGS. 1 and 12and secured to the bottoms and webs of the channels by bolts 46X toprovide effective connection between the modules and also to provide theproper surface conductivity of the channels housing the lines. Similarconnection plates are used for the transmission and antenna line housingchannels.

Referring to FIG. 12, the switch system is shown in a horizontalposition with the front of FIG. 1 down and supported on posts 40supporting beams 41 and stringers 42 providing an overhead support forthe switching system for ease of access and operation to each switchwith a substantially clear floor space therebeneath. The switch systemmay also be suspended from the ceiling. This figure also shows thebaffles for the transmission leads extending from one end with theadjacent leads positioned 45 apart. The antenna lines are staggered andbaffles therefor are omitted, but the antenna leads could extend fromthe same side and suitable baffles provided similar to those of thetransmission leads to minimize cross talk.

The material for the channels and covers is shown as being of aluminumand the bearing surfaces of the guides 22B and the contacting surfacesof the square shaft 21 are preferably chromium plated to minimizefriction. Although the plunger shaft 21 is shown as being squarealuminum tube, it may be of insulating material suitably reinforced witha metal core or the like and the structure is designed to provide theproper electrical characteristics with a minimum of cross talk. Theconductive lines and copper tubes are silver plated. The electricalcontacts and contact blocks are of brass silver plated, and the springsare silver plated bronze. The insulators are of ceramic and it will beapparent suitable material is chosen for all the elements.

The passages for the balanced line conductors and switches may be formedof l-beams and/or channel beams as shown in FIG. 13, where the oneseries of lbeams include a web plate 201 secured to elongated T- shapedsections 202 and 203, the parts being assembled by any suitable means,such as welds, rivets, or the like, and the other series of l-beamshaving a web 210A and T-shaped sections 202A and 203A secured thereto,

and such l-beams are secured together by rivets 204 or' the like passingthrough the flanges of abutting T-sections 203,203A. Four such fasteners204 are shown to securely retain the two series of l-beams and/orchannel beams in assembled relation leaving the passages 205 betweenadjacent horizontally extending l-beams 201, 202, 203 and the verticallyextending l-beams 201A, 202A, 203A. Supported on the T-section 202 ofthe horizontally extending I-beams are laterally extending angle members206, 207 which. retain insulators 208, 209 in position and suchinsulators support the bifurcated leaf springs 210, 211 with fasteners212 passing through the leaf springs and securing them in position oninsulator 208, with the bifurcations 210A,

2108 and 211A and 2118 which carry convex shaped contacts 214 forengaging the tongue contact blade 19, shown in FIG. 3, there being fourconvex contacts 213 for engaging the tongue of the contact 19 to therebyincrease the power which may be transmitted and switched by theswitching system. A similar contact is provided from insulator 209 and acorona shield 214 is applied to prevent the corona discharge. Adjacentcontacts 210,210 are connected together by a conductor section 215 whichis secured to the contacts by suitable fasteners such as bolts or thelike. It will be apparent that two pairs of contacts are as shown inFIG. 2.

It will be apparent that the l-beam and/or channel support may be madein modules of different numbers of switches which modules are connectedby suitable means such as plates 45 shown in FIG. 11 whereby a switchsystem of any size may be formed.

The switches are supported for sliding movement by means of plates 216carrying bearings 217 and secured to the adjacent T-shaped members 202and 202A on opposite sides of the framework and cover plates 218 areprovided to completely shield the passageway formed between adjacentI-beams and/or channel beams and the bearing arrangement is similar tothat previously described to maintain the plunger in alignment so thatthe tongues of the contacts 19 will engage in proper registeringrelation so that the contacts 213 on the leaf springs 210 and 211 willeffectively make a contact.

The partitions formed at the outer periphery of the framework may bemade of channels formed by web 222, 223. 221 and angle beam members222,223. It will also be apparent that the I-beams and/or channel beamsmay be made with the flanges integral with the web plates. The openings205 between the flanges of T- sections 203, 203A provide for the passageof the plunger switch to connect line sections together or to crossconnect line sections of one series (horizontal) to the other series(vertical) whereby any switching arrangement for connecting any antennato any receiver can be accomplished.

With this structure there is no need for a base plate such as base plateB and the abutting flanges provide for this function and the size of theopenings 205 can be determined by the width of the flanges 203,203A. Thebeam sections are made of conductive metal such as aluminum or the like.

The invention, therefore, provides an effective switching system forconnecting any line of a high frequency transmitter to any line of anantenna with minimum cross talk and satisfactory impedancecharacteristics with rapid switch plunger movement between initial andfinal positions.

It will be apparent that changes may be made within the practice of theinvention as defined by the valid scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. A switching system comprising a series of conductive U-shapedchannels having webs, a first series of two conductor line sections insaid first series of channels, a second series of channels mounted incrossing relation to said first series of channels and fixedly securedto said first channels, a second series of conductor lines of linesections in said second series of channels, registering plungerreceiving openings in the crossing portions of the channels, plungersmounted in said channels and having line continuing contacts and crossconnecting contacts mounted for movement through said openings wherebysaid plungers in one position will provide for line continuingconnection and in the other position will provide for cross connectionbetween the crossing lines, the channels being separate channel elementsarranged in back to back relation, in.- wardly extending rib flangemeans being provided on the webs of the channels for supporting the linesecprovided at each crossing tions, said inwardly extending rib flangemeans being positioned intermediate the web and the free edges of theflanges and closely adjacent but spaced from the free edges of theflanges.

2. A balanced line switch system comprising a conductive base, aplurality of conductive webs in side-byside relation forming passagewaysextending from one side of said base, another plurality of conductivewebs extending from the opposite side of said base and transverselythereto, said base being provided with switch receiving openings betweencrossing passageways formed by said webs on one side and the passagewaysformed by said webs on the other side, a line including a pair ofconductors of a plurality of conductor sections in each passageway,switch means extending through the openings and having one set ofcrossing connections insulatingly supported and adapted to cross connectan adjacent pair of conductor sections in one passageway on one side ofthe base to an adjacent pair of conductor sections in the crossingpassageway on the other side of the base, said switch means also havingtwo sets of line continuing connections insulatingly supported thereon,said switch means being mounted for switching movement to disconnectsaid pair of conductor sections in the crossing passageways to break theconnection between a pair of conductor sections on one side of the basefrom a pair of conductor sections on the other side of the base and toconnect an adjacent pair of conductor sections in each passageway to anadjacent pair of conductor sections in the same passageway to providecontinuous pair of conductor lines along each passageway where the saidpassageways cross, the ends of each conductor section including a pairof spring pressed rounded contacts adjacent each opening and the switchmeans is a plunger carrying a plurality of contact tongues andconductive portions between the tongues and is movable selectively toprovide the cross connection between the lines in the crossingpassageways or the line continuing connection.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which the conductor sectionsare mounted on insulators extending from the base and the plungerincludes a square shaft carrying flat tapering insulators supported fromthe square shaft by bolts with corona rings on the bolts.

4. The invention according to claim 2 in which both series ofpassageways extend horizontally and support means are provided toposition the passageways over the heads of the technicians using theswitching system and operating means for moving the switch means areprovided beneath the passageways and accessible to the technicians.

5. The invention according to claim 2 in which the passageways areformed by flanged beams to provide the plurality of webs in side-by-siderelation and the abutting flanges of the flanged beams provide the base.

6. The invention according to claim 2 in which said switch means is areciprocatable plunger extending through its receiving opening and theconnections are mounted on the plunger and the set of crossingconnections extend through the switch receiving opening for connectingits associated pair of conductors on one side of the base to itsassociated pair of conductors on the other side of the base, when theplunger is in one position, one of said two sets of line continuingconnections serving to continue the connection between the conductors onone side of the base and the other of said two sets of line continuingconnections serving to continue the connection between the conductorsections on the other side of the base when the plunger is in its otherposition. i

7. A switch unit module having a base, flanges extending along one sideof said base on one axis forming a first channel section on one side ofthe base, and flanges extending along an offset intersecting axis on theother side of the base forming a second channel section, a first pair ofconductor sections in the first channel section in a plane generallyparallel to said base and extending generally parallel to the base andextending generally parallel to the first channel section, a second pairof conductor sections in the second channel section extending generallyparallel to the base and extending generally parallel tb the secondchannel section, said base having a plunger switch receiving openingtherethrough communicating from a channel on one side of the base to achannel on the other side of the base, a plunger switch mounted forreciprocating movement through said opening, said conductor sectionshaving a portion omitted adjacent said plunger receiving opening andhaving switch contact elements on the ends of said conductor sectionsadjacent the plunger receiving opening, said plunger having a-first pairof line continuing conductors with switch contacts forengaging theswitch contact elements of the first pair of conductor sections tocontinue the conductance between the first pair of conductor sections,said plunger having a second pair of line continuing conductors withswitch contacts to contact the switch contacts of said second conductorsections to continue the conductance between the second pair ofconductor sections whereby in one position of the plunger the pair ofconductor sections on each side will be in line continuing relation,said plunger having a pair of cross conductors with switch contactelements at each end of each cross conductor spaced from said linecontinuing conductors in the direction of plunger movement for crossconnecting the pair of conductor sections on one side of said base andon one edge of said plunger receiving opening through the base to anadjacent pair of conductor sections on the other side of the basewhereby the plunger in one operative position places the switch unit inline continuing relation and in the other position cross connects thepair of conductor sections on one side of the base with the adjacentpair of conductor sections on the other side of the base whilesimultaneously breaking the contact with the other conductor sections oneach side of the base preventing stub ends from being connected in thecross connected circuit, and means to reciprocate the plunger from oneposition to the other.

8. The invention according to claim 7 in which a plurality of unitmodules are connected together forming a switch system whereby aplurality of one group of different pairs of conductors can beselectively connected to any one of a plurality of pairs of conductorsin another group of different conductors.

9. The invention according to claim 8 in which one group of differentpairs of conductors are connected to transmitters or receivers and theother group of different pairs of conductors are connected to antennas.

1. A switching system comprising a series of conductive U-shapedchannels having webs, a first series of two conductor line sections insaid first series of channels, a second series of channels mounted incrossing relation to said first series of channels and fixedly securedto said first channels, a second series of conductor lines of linesections in said second series of channels, registering plungerreceiving openings in the crossing portions of the channels, plungersmounted in said channels and having line continuing contacts and crossconnecting contacts mounted for movement through said openings wherebysaid plungers in one position wiLl provide for line continuingconnection and in the other position will provide for cross connectionbetween the crossing lines, the channels being separate channel elementsarranged in back to back relation, inwardly extending rib flange meansbeing provided on the webs of the channels for supporting the linesections, said inwardly extending rib flange means being positionedintermediate the web and the free edges of the flanges and closelyadjacent but spaced from the free edges of the flanges.
 1. A switchingsystem comprising a series of conductive U-shaped channels having webs,a first series of two conductor line sections in said first series ofchannels, a second series of channels mounted in crossing relation tosaid first series of channels and fixedly secured to said firstchannels, a second series of conductor lines of line sections in saidsecond series of channels, registering plunger receiving openings in thecrossing portions of the channels, plungers mounted in said channels andhaving line continuing contacts and cross connecting contacts mountedfor movement through said openings whereby said plungers in one positionwiLl provide for line continuing connection and in the other positionwill provide for cross connection between the crossing lines, thechannels being separate channel elements arranged in back to backrelation, inwardly extending rib flange means being provided on the websof the channels for supporting the line sections, said inwardlyextending rib flange means being positioned intermediate the web and thefree edges of the flanges and closely adjacent but spaced from the freeedges of the flanges.
 2. A balanced line switch system comprising aconductive base, a plurality of conductive webs in side-by-side relationforming passageways extending from one side of said base, anotherplurality of conductive webs extending from the opposite side of saidbase and transversely thereto, said base being provided with switchreceiving openings between crossing passageways formed by said webs onone side and the passageways formed by said webs on the other side, aline including a pair of conductors of a plurality of conductor sectionsin each passageway, switch means extending through the openings andhaving one set of crossing connections insulatingly supported andadapted to cross connect an adjacent pair of conductor sections in onepassageway on one side of the base to an adjacent pair of conductorsections in the crossing passageway on the other side of the base, saidswitch means also having two sets of line continuing connectionsinsulatingly supported thereon, said switch means being mounted forswitching movement to disconnect said pair of conductor sections in thecrossing passageways to break the connection between a pair of conductorsections on one side of the base from a pair of conductor sections onthe other side of the base and to connect an adjacent pair of conductorsections in each passageway to an adjacent pair of conductor sections inthe same passageway to provide continuous pair of conductor lines alongeach passageway where the said passageways cross, the ends of eachconductor section including a pair of spring pressed rounded contactsadjacent each opening and the switch means is a plunger carrying aplurality of contact tongues and conductive portions between the tonguesand is movable selectively to provide the cross connection between thelines in the crossing passageways or the line continuing connection. 3.The invention according to claim 2 in which the conductor sections aremounted on insulators extending from the base and the plunger includes asquare shaft carrying flat tapering insulators supported from the squareshaft by bolts with corona rings on the bolts.
 4. The inventionaccording to claim 2 in which both series of passageways extendhorizontally and support means are provided to position the passagewaysover the heads of the technicians using the switching system andoperating means for moving the switch means are provided beneath thepassageways and accessible to the technicians.
 5. The inventionaccording to claim 2 in which the passageways are formed by flangedbeams to provide the plurality of webs in side-by-side relation and theabutting flanges of the flanged beams provide the base.
 6. The inventionaccording to claim 2 in which said switch means is a reciprocatableplunger extending through its receiving opening and the connections aremounted on the plunger and the set of crossing connections extendthrough the switch receiving opening for connecting its associated pairof conductors on one side of the base to its associated pair ofconductors on the other side of the base, when the plunger is in oneposition, one of said two sets of line continuing connections serving tocontinue the connection between the conductors on one side of the baseand the other of said two sets of line continuing connections serving tocontinue the connection between the conductor sections on the other sideof the base when the plunger is in its other position.
 7. A switch unitmodule having a base, flanges extending along one siDe of said base onone axis forming a first channel section on one side of the base, andflanges extending along an offset intersecting axis on the other side ofthe base forming a second channel section, a first pair of conductorsections in the first channel section in a plane generally parallel tosaid base and extending generally parallel to the base and extendinggenerally parallel to the first channel section, a second pair ofconductor sections in the second channel section extending generallyparallel to the base and extending generally parallel to the secondchannel section, said base having a plunger switch receiving openingtherethrough communicating from a channel on one side of the base to achannel on the other side of the base, a plunger switch mounted forreciprocating movement through said opening, said conductor sectionshaving a portion omitted adjacent said plunger receiving opening andhaving switch contact elements on the ends of said conductor sectionsadjacent the plunger receiving opening, said plunger having a first pairof line continuing conductors with switch contacts for engaging theswitch contact elements of the first pair of conductor sections tocontinue the conductance between the first pair of conductor sections,said plunger having a second pair of line continuing conductors withswitch contacts to contact the switch contacts of said second conductorsections to continue the conductance between the second pair ofconductor sections whereby in one position of the plunger the pair ofconductor sections on each side will be in line continuing relation,said plunger having a pair of cross conductors with switch contactelements at each end of each cross conductor spaced from said linecontinuing conductors in the direction of plunger movement for crossconnecting the pair of conductor sections on one side of said base andon one edge of said plunger receiving opening through the base to anadjacent pair of conductor sections on the other side of the basewhereby the plunger in one operative position places the switch unit inline continuing relation and in the other position cross connects thepair of conductor sections on one side of the base with the adjacentpair of conductor sections on the other side of the base whilesimultaneously breaking the contact with the other conductor sections oneach side of the base preventing stub ends from being connected in thecross connected circuit, and means to reciprocate the plunger from oneposition to the other.
 8. The invention according to claim 7 in which aplurality of unit modules are connected together forming a switch systemwhereby a plurality of one group of different pairs of conductors can beselectively connected to any one of a plurality of pairs of conductorsin another group of different conductors.